Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 31, 2003

Until the evening at home, I was reading a part of the [screenplay] of Imam Hussein (a.s.) series and the reports. In the evening, we went to the children's intellectual development center for the opening of the [11th] Quran exhibition. I visited the parts of the exhibition. The growth of computer software is significant. During the ceremony, Mr. [Ahmad] Masjid Jameei, [Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance] and [Ali Asghar] Shouai, [Director of the Quran Exhibition] gave a report. I talked about the role of the Quran in raising the level of progress of the society and ensuring the happiness of this world and the hereafter.  

Today, [Mohammed] ElBaradei, [the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency] spoke positively about Iran's cooperation. After Friday prayers, Tehran and some cities such as Qazvin, Kermanshah, Yazd, etc. held demonstrations against the acceptance of the additional protocol. Friday imams have also spoken about this.

In Iraq, disorder and conflict are growing. Bombs were found in some schools and some schools were closed. Some municipalities were set on fire and there was a large fire in the commercial center of the city. Dozens of stores have been burned and the casualties of people, police and occupiers have increased. [Sheikh Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai], the representative of Mr. [Syed Ali] Sistani, has been injured in Karbala. Many clashes are rumored for tomorrow, Saturday.

In the House of Representatives of the United States, the US President's budget of 87 billion dollars for Iraq was approved. The Intelligence Commission has given one day to the White House, the Ministry of Defense and the State Department of the United States to present their documents about the danger of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Students of the University of Massachusetts have protested against America's warmongering policy during a speech by [Paul Wolfowitz], the Deputy Secretary of Defense who has returned from Iraq. He commented that the key to victory over terrorism is the cooperation of Muslims. In a large survey in Europe, 60% of people said that Israel's policy entails the risk of war.

In Malaysia, Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, after 22 years as Prime Minister, voluntarily stepped down and his deputy, Mr. [Abdullah] Badawi, took his place, and in front of the King of Malaysia, the power transfer ceremony was officially performed. At the same time, the leaders of the two Islamic parties "Pas" and "Adalat Mardom" have said that they are complaining about Mr. Mahathir's violation. Westerners have treated the issue coldly.

We went to the house of Mohammad's brother to break the fast. Family members were also gathered.